Thursday, December 31, 2009

Appreciating An Education

There is a pivotal scene in An Education. It’s not obviously so, but I think the entire film comes down to that moment. It’s where we find the thesis statement, or whatever it is they call it in films. Jenny confronts the Head Teacher of her school and in an impassioned speech she questions the value of education for the girls at the school. Jenny focuses on women, but it can be a question for any confused scholar. What’s the point of an Education. Why not agree with Alfred Camus and agree that’s it’s all for nothing. It only makes you bourgeoisie and the end we all will die anyway. The Head Teacher doesn’t have an answer; in fact Lone Scherfig doesn’t seem to either. Instead the question is, if not an education, then what?

That moment in the film is Mulligan's. Up until that point she has delighted us. She’s made us laugh, sometimes even a little wistful. She’s done what she must, and done it excellently. But in this moment, the moment most unlike the Jenny we’ve come to know is also the moment where we see more of Jenny than we’ve seen before. It’s a beautiful moment for Mulligan, it’s a great moment for Emma Thompson, for Lone Scherfig and for the audience. Haven’t we all been there? Perhaps, not as students; but we do eventually start to question the things we’ve come to appreciate. Religion, family, life...? Maybe I’m projecting, but in being completely unselfconscious about it; without trying to make it more than one person it seems to be so much more. Every time Carey puts on that enigmatic face of hers, I’m never quite sure what she’s thinking. It’s the reality that we never completely know anyone, especially movie characters. I don’t see Jenny as a saint, although others have, she’s not that likeable anyhow. But she is appealing. It’s Carey Mulligan and those layers.
         
And yet, I’m not remembering Carey alone. I switch sides by the second when I think who’s the best in show. Mulligan? Perhaps, but isn’t that too obvious a choice; as is Alfred Molina. He’s perfect as Jack, Jenny's father. I’ve heard some calling him a hambone. ‘Tis a pity. I know a few quite like him. It’s sad really. It’s more than living vicariously through his daughter. That yearning, for something more while quite pedestrian is surprisingly poignant. It’s one of the strongest male performances I’ve seen this year, and it’s a pity no one’s taking any notice. Cara Seymour is sadly wonderful as his wife. She’s not a mouse of a woman, but it’s sad to watch her try to combat her husband. One can only imagine how much she hopes to accomplish with her one child.

And what of the three Musketeers? Dominic Cooper, Rosamund Pike and Peter Sarsgaard. I’m so grateful that the SAG have recognised this film. Rosamund lights up the screen every time she’s there, her line readings are among my favourite of the film and that constant vacuous look on her face is some exceptional acting. In my opinion of course. Sarsgaard is more than a slimy grease ball here. He just may be the most pathetic of the film’s characters. His desire to remain young is obvious, from his relationship with Jenny, to his car, his friends – it’s all very sad. And as much chemistry he and Mulligan have, the most romantic moment of the film is almost a throwaway as Cooper and Mulligan take to the dance-floor together. I was probably reading too much into it, but it was almost as if something was going on there. Cooper too, is a revelation here in an almost nondescript role.
                  
And the teachers? I feel as if I know them. Olivia Willaims' Mrs. Stubbs is as real as any of my professors. I thoroughly understand her desire for Jenny to succeed as much as I can understand Thompsn’s Head Mistress’ dilemma. The reverence, fear and glamour of that dreaded principal’s office. That I can understand.

But An Education is a bit of anomaly as far as I’m concerned. I’m not conceited enough to think that my thoughts are golden, but usually when I decide upon a film I whole-heartedly adore I can’t understand why others don’t. But with An Education I can easily understand why others wouldn’t find it that appealing, or honest even. Certainly the ending may just be a little too pat. But life is never that tragic as movies would have us to believe. I still want to go and out make everyone watch it though, even though I’m sure many may not be half as enthralled as I was.
           
But I’ve had An Education, and it’s been rich.

Getting An Education

It only points to my verbosity and general dementedness that I can’t tie down my thoughts in one review. So now, it’s on to Second Part.
            
This year, my first on the blogosphere a number of reviews spoke about the intimacy they felt looking at a particular film, or the personal feeling it gave them. There were the usual suspects – Precious, The Hurt Locker the less likely – Broken Embraces, Brothers. Some films depend on hitting the audience on that emotional level. I’m not sure if An Education depends on this as much as, say Precious. But up until now, it’s I think this is the most personal films I’ve seen of the year.

An Education tells the story of a young girl [Carey Mulligan] in sixties England, Jenny – our heroine. She hopes to read English at Oxford University and seems on her way there, complete with a slightly overbearing father [Alfred Molina]. She happens upon a debonair older man and with his friends she’s introduced to a world of music, art and most of all fun. I suppose ostensibly there would seem to be no large similarities between 1960 London and 2000 Guyana. But there is. Up until a few decades ago this country was filled with the English, so we’ve retained some of their traditions. We have those uniforms in the public school system, the stratified staffing at schools and the Sixth Form education system. So as different as it was it was also strangely similar. There’s always that inadvertent divide when I watch American films about school, a divide that was luckily absent in An Education.
         
Looking at An Education I was surprised at how formidable some technical aspects of the film were. The cinematography is so beauteous. It’s a word that I don’t use often, and then only for period pieces. But it was all shot so wonderfully in such an understated way that I suppose I can understand why more hasn’t been said of it. The set design too is striking. I have no idea what it should look like, but it does look good to me. I’ve never been a gadget person, but I’m damned if I didn’t want David’s car in my yard. The austere of the school, even the quietness of Jenny’s home, all seem so...exquisite? And the costumes? Not just the women, everyone. So lush, so right and so...British.
                   
It’s now been a full day since I saw An Education, and for some reason it’s still on my mind. I realise I just may be gushing like one of Jenny’s schoolgirl friends. Ugh. I’m still thinking about a grade. I could give it a B and it wouldn’t be too little. Or I could give it an A+ and it wouldn’t feel too much. It’s the last day of the year. I’m having a block. Obviously. I’ll be back in an hour with the final conclusions.
     
Other Reviews To Mull Over
The Mad Hatter loves it...
Univarn likes it...
Joe doesn't...
Nathaniel does
Joes does too, I think
    
Link your review below if you did one, and I missed it...

Movies You Have To See in 2010

Okay,so 2010 is here and lot of anticipated films are gonna be released soon. Here's my top 10 movies of 2010 I'm really looking forward to see.

 
ALICE IN WONDERLAND
 
Tim Burton, Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter... What's not to like?

CLASH OF THE TITANS
Please, please, please let it be good.

KICK-ASS
A movie about nerdy kids dressing up like superheros and getting into more trouble than they asked for. It's kinda like Spider-man but with Zombieland retarded-ness.

IRON MAN 2
Total geek-gasm I tell you! And Scarlett Johansson in leather? Whoaahh!

ROBIN HOOD
Russel Crowe and Ridley Scott reunites to make another medieval epic. And backed with a stellar cast of Cate Blanchett, Mark Strong and William Hurt.

PRINCE OF PERSIA: THE SANDS OF TIME
Wasn't looking forward to it till I saw the trailer. Nice substitute while I wait for Pirates 4.

TOY STORY 3
I don't really need to justify this right?

RAPUNZEL
The never ending saga to restore Disney to it's Renaissance days continues!

HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS: PART 1
It's kinda sad it's all gonna end.

TRON LEGACY
You guys have got to check this trailer out!

Here are some other movies ya'll might wanna check out this year
The Book of Eli                                      Jonah Hex
 
How To Train Your Dragon                               Despicable Me  
The Bear And The Bow
   The Last Airbender                                 The Expendables   
  Inception                                        Shutter Island
  My Fair Lady                                      In The Heights
The Three Stooges

And the 2010 movies you should avoid like plague
        Hairspray 2: White Lipstick                   The Twilight Saga: Eclipse
         Tooth Fairy                                    The Spy Next Door
      Sex And The City 2                              Shrek Forever After
         The Karate Kid                                      Step Up 3-D     
     The Smurfs Movie                                       The Green Hornet
  Footloose                                                     Yogi Bear
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